Tokyo Travel Guide 2026

Why Visit Tokyo?

With more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city on earth (over 200), an impeccably efficient public transport network, and a culture of exceptional hospitality known as "omotenashi," Tokyo sets a standard for urban travel that few destinations can rival. The city is simultaneously one of the safest, cleanest and most thrilling capital cities in the world — violent crime is extremely rare, streets are spotless, and the mix of high-tech modernity and deep tradition creates a constant sense of discovery around every corner.

The scale initially intimidates: Tokyo's Greater Metropolitan Area covers 2,200 square kilometres and its train network has hundreds of stations. But the city's superb public transport means that once you understand the IC card system, getting around is straightforward and inexpensive. Each neighbourhood has its own distinct personality — from the otaku electronics culture of Akihabara to the high-fashion boutiques of Omotesando to the working-class izakayas of Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho — giving first-time visitors weeks of material to explore.

Budget-wise, Tokyo is more affordable than its reputation suggests. A filling bowl of ramen costs ¥800–1,200 (€5–7), a metro ride is ¥170–320, and convenience store onigiri (rice balls) make a perfectly acceptable meal at ¥120–150. Mid-range travellers spending €70–100 per day can eat very well, stay in a comfortable hotel, and experience the city thoroughly.

Top Attractions & Experiences

Shibuya Crossing & the Shibuya Scramble

The Shibuya Scramble is the world's busiest pedestrian crossing — when the lights turn green, up to 3,000 people cross from all directions simultaneously in a choreographed chaos that is both thrilling and strangely orderly. The best view is from the Starbucks on the second floor of the Mag's Park building (free, just buy a coffee) or from the dedicated observation terrace at Shibuya Sky (¥2,000/€12) on the 45th–47th floors of Shibuya Scramble Square, which also offers 360-degree Tokyo panoramas. The crossing is most photogenic at night, lit by neon advertising boards. Nearby Shibuya 109 (shopping mall for youth fashion) and Center-gai (food street) are worth exploring.

Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa

Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in 628 AD, sits at the heart of Asakusa — the city's most traditional neighbourhood. The approach along Nakamise shopping street, lined with stalls selling sembei (rice crackers), ninja accessories and traditional sweets, leads to the massive Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon) with its famous red paper lantern. The temple grounds are free to enter and are most atmospheric at dawn before the crowds arrive, or during festivals like Sanja Matsuri (mid-May) when portable shrines are paraded through the streets. Nearby Senso-ji is the rickshaw area (jinrikisha) where you can take a traditional ride through old Asakusa streets (from ¥3,000/€18 for 30 minutes).

Shinjuku — Neon Nights & Omoide Yokocho

Shinjuku is Tokyo's busiest railway hub (handling 3.5 million passengers daily) and one of its most entertaining neighbourhoods. Shinjuku Gyoen (¥500/€3 entry) is one of Japan's finest parks, spectacular during cherry blossom season. Kabukicho is the city's entertainment and nightlife district, filled with hostess bars, cinemas and Godzilla's enormous head protruding from a hotel rooftop. Omoide Yokocho ("Memory Lane") is a narrow alleyway of tiny yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) bars dating from the 1950s — squeezing into a counter seat, ordering grilled skewers and draft beer surrounded by blue smoke and the sounds of a Japanese salary-man bar is one of Tokyo's quintessential experiences. Golden Gai nearby is a warren of 200+ tiny bars, each holding 6–8 people, with extraordinary character.

Harajuku & Takeshita Street

Harajuku is the spiritual home of Japanese youth fashion and cosplay culture, epitomised by the narrow Takeshita Street — a 350-metre pedestrianised lane crammed with crepe stands, vintage shops, gothic lolita boutiques and kawaii (cute culture) stores. Serious fashion seekers should also walk along Omotesando (the "Champs-Elysees of Tokyo"), lined with flagship stores by international luxury brands in architecturally significant buildings (Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tod's, Zara). Meiji Jingu shrine is a 5-minute walk and offers a complete contrast: a forest sanctuary of 70,000 trees in the middle of the city, built in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Tsukiji Outer Market

While the famous wholesale tuna auctions moved to the new Toyosu market in 2018, the Tsukiji outer market retains its vibrant street food atmosphere. Arrive by 7am for the freshest produce and longest opening hours. Stalls sell fresh sushi, tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) on sticks, sea urchin, grilled scallops and Japanese knives. Breakfast here — a sashimi set and miso soup for ¥1,000–1,500 (€6–9) — is one of Tokyo's great food experiences. The market is closed Wednesdays and Sundays.

teamLab Planets & Borderless

teamLab are Tokyo-based digital art collective whose immersive installations have redefined what a museum can be. teamLab Planets (Toyosu, tickets ¥3,200/€19 in advance) requires visitors to walk barefoot through water and into rooms of light, mirrors and floating flowers — it is genuinely unlike anything else in the world. teamLab Borderless (which reopened in a new Azabudai Hills location in 2024) offers a larger 10,000-square-metre maze of continuously evolving digital art (tickets ¥3,800/€23). Both sell out weeks ahead — book online before leaving home.

Akihabara — Electric Town

Akihabara is the global centre of otaku (anime, manga, gaming) culture and electronics retail. The main street (Chuo-Dori) is lined with multi-storey electronics retailers (Yodobashi Camera, BIC Camera), while the side streets hold tiny shops selling vintage gaming consoles, figurines, doujinshi (fan-published manga) and maid cafes (where customers are served by waitresses in French maid costumes). Even if anime isn't your interest, the sheer visual energy of the district is fascinating. Don Quijote (open 24/7) in Akihabara is the quintessential Japanese discount variety store — an extraordinary experience of organised chaos.

Mount Fuji Day Trip

Japan's iconic 3,776-metre volcano is clearly visible from Tokyo on clear days (especially in winter) and makes an excellent day trip. The most popular option is the Fuji Five Lakes area (Fujikawaguchiko), reached in 90 minutes by Fujikyuko Highway Bus from Shinjuku Station (¥2,000 one-way). From Lake Kawaguchiko the views of Fuji across the water are spectacular, particularly from the Chureito Pagoda (30-minute hike from Fujiyoshida station). Climbing season is July–early September only; outside that period, you can only admire Fuji from below. Fuji-Q Highland (rollercoaster park at the base) is good for families and thrill-seekers.

Best Time to Visit Tokyo

Tokyo has four distinct seasons, each with its own appeal. The two peak travel periods — cherry blossom in late March to early April, and autumn foliage in mid-November — are the most visually spectacular but also the busiest and most expensive. Spring and autumn both have comfortable temperatures (15–22°C) and are the best times to visit for first-timers. Summer is hot and humid with typhoon risk; winter is cold but clear, with excellent views of Mount Fuji.

Neighbourhoods & Where to Stay

Shinjuku

The most convenient base for first-time visitors, Shinjuku offers unbeatable transport connections (JR, subway, and bus terminals), huge department stores, and the widest range of accommodation from budget capsule hotels (from ¥3,500/€21 per night) to mid-range business hotels (¥8,000–15,000/€47–88). The west side around the station is corporate and modern; the east side (Kabukicho, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho) is where the nightlife and entertainment is concentrated. Shinjuku Gyoen park is a 10-minute walk and superb for cherry blossom viewing.

Asakusa

The most traditional neighbourhood in central Tokyo, Asakusa sits on the eastern side of the city near the Sumida River. Staying here puts you walking distance from Senso-ji temple, the riverside Sumida Park (cherry blossoms), the excellent Edo-Tokyo Museum (currently undergoing renovation), and the traditional craft shops of Kappabashi (restaurant supply street). A more relaxed pace and slightly lower prices than Shibuya or Shinjuku. Good range of mid-range hotels (¥8,000–14,000/€47–82).

Shibuya & Harajuku

The epicentre of contemporary Tokyo culture — fashion, music, youth trends, and nightlife. Staying in Shibuya or adjacent Daikanyama (a quieter, upscale neighbourhood with independent boutiques and cafes) puts you close to the crossing, Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Omotesando. Good range of stylish mid-range and boutique hotels. Well connected to Shinjuku (5 minutes) and Asakusa (30 minutes) by train.

Ginza & Marunouchi

Tokyo's most upscale districts — Ginza is the luxury shopping and gallery quarter (think Tokyo's Fifth Avenue), Marunouchi is the business heart adjacent to Tokyo Station. Excellent transport connections from Tokyo Station make this a good base for day trips to Nikko, Kamakura or Fuji. Hotels here are mostly upscale (¥15,000–40,000/€88–235 per night). Imperial Palace East Garden is free to enter and very pleasant.

Akihabara & Ueno

Ueno is home to Tokyo's main museum cluster (Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Western Art, all in Ueno Park) and is popular with families. Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's best cherry blossom spots. The adjacent Ueno zoo houses Japan's giant pandas. Akihabara is a 10-minute walk and Asakusa 15 minutes. Good value accommodation area with business hotels from ¥7,000/€41.

Food, Drink & Tokyo's Culinary Scene

Tokyo is arguably the world's greatest food city — a place where a lunchtime ramen shop in a basement has obsessively refined its 40-year-old broth recipe, where the sushi counter at a neighbourhood restaurant would earn stars in any other city, and where convenience stores (konbini) sell freshly prepared onigiri and sandwiches that shame Western airport food. The culture of shokunin (artisanal mastery) means that specialisation is taken to extraordinary lengths — there are restaurants that serve only tonkatsu, only gyoza, only one type of soba.

What to Eat

• Ramen: Tokyo-style ramen (shoyu — soy sauce broth, with wavy noodles, chashu pork, bamboo shoots and a soft-boiled egg) is different from Sapporo miso ramen or Hakata tonkotsu. A bowl costs ¥800–1,200 (€5–7). Ichiran (chain, Shinjuku) and Fuunji (Shinjuku, acclaimed tsukemen/dipping noodles) are consistently excellent.
• Sushi: From kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi at ¥130–200 per plate (Sushiro, Kurazushi chains) to the omakase counter experience at ¥20,000–50,000+ per person. Mid-range sushiya in Tsukiji or Asakusa offer outstanding quality at ¥3,000–5,000 for a lunch set.
• Izakaya: Japanese pub-restaurant, serving small dishes (yakitori, edamame, grilled fish, karaage fried chicken) alongside beer, sake, shochu and highballs. The ideal Tokyo evening: ¥2,000–4,000 per person including drinks. Try the standing bars (tachinomi) around Shimbashi or Yurakucho station.
• Tempura: Light battered and deep-fried seafood and vegetables, best eaten at the counter of a specialist tempura restaurant where the chef fries each piece individually. Look for tendon (tempura on rice) lunch sets around ¥1,500 (€9).
• Gyudon: Thinly sliced beef simmered in sweet soy sauce over rice — Japan's ultimate comfort food, served at chains like Yoshinoya and Sukiya for ¥400–600 (€2.50–3.50). Brilliant value.
• Wagashi: Traditional Japanese sweets made from rice flour, red bean paste, and seasonal ingredients — buy them at Toraya in Omotesando (one of Japan's oldest confectionery houses) or at any temple market.

Drinks

Draft beer (nama biru) costs ¥500–700 at most bars; canned beer from a convenience store is ¥200–250. Japanese whisky (Suntory, Nikka) has become world-renowned — order a highball (whisky and soda) for a lighter option. Sake (nihonshu) is the traditional choice with Japanese food; sake bars in Shinjuku and Ginza offer flights of regional varieties. For non-drinkers, Tokyo's coffee culture is excellent — the third-wave scene in Shimokitazawa and Daikanyama rivals Melbourne and Portland.

Getting There & Getting Around

By Air

Tokyo is served by two major airports. Narita International Airport (NRT), 60 km east of the city, is the main international hub — served by virtually all long-haul carriers including British Airways, ANA, JAL and Singapore Airlines. Transfer to the city by Narita Express (N'EX) train takes 60 minutes to Shinjuku (¥3,070/€18) or 53 minutes to Tokyo Station. Haneda Airport (HND), 15 km south of the city, is much more conveniently located; it handles ANA, JAL, British Airways and a growing number of European carriers. Transfer to Shinjuku takes 30 minutes by Keikyu or Tokyo Monorail (¥500–600). From Europe, typical flight times are 11–12 hours direct to Tokyo.

Getting Around — IC Card (Suica/Pasmo)

The IC card is the single most important thing to obtain on arrival in Tokyo. A Suica (JR-issued) or Pasmo (subway-issued) contactless card can be used on all trains, subways, buses, and even at convenience stores and vending machines across Japan. Tap in and out at the gates; fares are automatically calculated (¥170–320 for most city journeys). Buy at any JR ticket machine at Narita or Haneda airport. The mobile Suica app works with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Single journey tickets are available but require reading Japanese fare maps.

JR Pass — Is It Worth It?

The JR Pass (a pre-purchased unlimited travel pass on JR trains including Shinkansen bullet trains) is only worth buying if you plan to travel between cities — Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka or Tokyo–Hiroshima, for example. A 7-day pass costs ¥50,000 (€295); a 14-day pass ¥80,000 (€472). If you are staying only in Tokyo, do not buy one. The Tokyo Wide Pass (¥10,180/€60 for 3 days, covering Greater Tokyo area and the Shinkansen to Nikko, Hakone, and Kawaguchiko) is better value for Tokyo-based travellers.

Subway & Night Transport

Tokyo's metro system runs from approximately 5am to midnight (last trains vary by line). After midnight, night buses cover the main routes (¥210 flat fare). Taxis are widely available but expensive (starting fare ¥730, plus ¥100 per 255m). Uber and DiDi operate in Tokyo but prices are similar to taxis. For short distances, Tokyo is surprisingly walkable between connected neighbourhoods.

Insider Tips for Tokyo

• Get a Suica card immediately on arrival: At the airport, before anything else. It works everywhere and saves huge time at ticket machines. Top it up with ¥3,000–5,000 to start.
• Carry cash at all times: Despite being high-tech, Japan remains heavily cash-based. Many small restaurants, temples and local shops do not accept cards. ATMs at 7-Eleven (7-Bank) and Japan Post reliably accept foreign cards; most bank ATMs do not.
• Visit Senso-ji at 6am: The temple before dawn has incense, monks, and almost no tourists. By 9am it is overwhelmed with visitors. The difference is extraordinary.
• Book teamLab online weeks ahead: Both teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless sell out regularly, especially weekends and holidays. There is no walk-up purchase option on busy days.
• Eat at convenience stores: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson in Japan are genuinely good. Onigiri (¥120–150), bento boxes (¥450–600), and hot foods at the counter are fresh, cheap and delicious.
• Use Google Maps in transit mode: Google Maps is excellent for navigating Tokyo's train network — it shows which platform, which carriage to board (for good exit position), and the exact fare. Download offline maps before you go.
• Respect the quiet carriage etiquette on trains: No phone calls on trains (texting is fine), keep voices low, and never eat on a train except on long-distance Shinkansen. Japanese people will not confront you — but it is very noticeable.
• Pick up a pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM at the airport: Essential for navigation and translation apps. Pocket Wi-Fi rental desks are at both Narita and Haneda arrivals halls (¥280–400/day). Alternatively, buy a data-only SIM card or activate an eSIM before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions